Forgiveness is one of the great qualities of Christianity. We are challenged to forgive each other as readily as God forgives us. We celebrate God’s mercy, and ask for the grace to pass it on to those who hurt us.

Penitential Rite
Remembering that God’s mercy is the source of all forgiveness, let us call to mind our need of it (pause):
Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father… Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division… Lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your Father….

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Undaunted you seek the lost, O God,
exultant you bring home the found.
Touch our hearts with grateful wonder
at the tenderness of your forbearing love.
Grant us delight in the mercy that has found us
and bring all to rejoice at the feast of forgiveness.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Ecclesiasticus 27:30 to 28:7 — Both the first reading and Gospel invite us to be merciful and forgiving to each other, as God is towards us. If we nurse anger, how can we expect compassion?
Romans 14:7-9 — Paul tells us the good news that whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.
Matthew 18:21-35 — The Gospel has a sting in the tail: if we fail in forgiveness, we risk being judged according to our own standards.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord is compassion and love, so we present our prayers with confidence:

1. For forgiveness among Christians, that we may treat each other as God treats us (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.
2. For an end to vengenace and hatred, that all people may learn to live together in tolerance (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.
3. For the homeless men, women and children on the streets of Ireland, that they may be looked after (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.
4. For all who suffer because of earthquakes and floods (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.
5. For those who beg God for a good harvest, that their prayers may be heard (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.
6. For an appreciation of the beauty and diversity of creation (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For our friends who have died (N & N) that they may share in the eternal redemption won by Christ (pause to reflect and pray). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of mercy and compassion, you heal every one of our ills: help us, we pray you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,
and receive with favour these gifts of your servants,
that what each of us has offered to the glory of your name
may advance the salvation of us all.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II, with Preface (picking up the themes in the readings)
Merciful God and Father,
it is truly right to give you thanks
through Christ our Lord
for the working of your grace in the world.
In the midst of human conflict
you turn our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your Spirit stirs our hearts,
so that enemies speak again to each other,
adversaries join hands in friendship,
and nations seek to live in harmony.

Through your healing power
the love of peace quells violence,
mercy conquers hatred,
and vengeance yields to forgiveness.

For this we praise you without end
and join with the choirs of heaven
as they sing the hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy…

Lord of power and might,
we bless you through Jesus Christ, your Son,
who comes in your name.
He is the word that brings salvation,
the hand you stretch out to sinners,
the way that leads to your peace.

God our Father,
when we had wandered far from you,
you called us back through your Son.
You gave him over to death,
that we might turn to you again
and find our way to one another.

We now celebrate the reconciliation
gained for us by Christ.
We ask you to sanctify these gifts
by the coming of your Spirit,
as we fulfil your Son’s + command.

Before he laid down his life for our deliverance,
he took bread in his hands and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

So too, on that last evening,
he took into his hands the cup of blessing;
he praised your mercy,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith…

Lord our God,
your Son has left us this pledge of his love.
We celebrate, therefore, the memorial of his death and resurrection,
offering you the very gift you have given us,
the sacrifice of perfect reconciliation.

Father most holy,
accept us together with your own beloved Son,
and, through our partaking of this banquet,
fill us with his Spirit,
who heals every wound and division.

May that Holy Spirit preserve us in unity,
together with Francis our Pope, N. our Bishop,
all the bishops and your entire people.
Make your Church throughout the world
a sign of unity and an instrument of peace.

Lord,
as you have welcomed us here to the table of your Son
in fellowship with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, St Hildegard of Bingen
and all the saints,
so gather at the one eternal banquet
people of every race, nation, and tongue,
in that new world
where the fullness of peace will reign
through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Almighty God,
let the power of this sacrament
take hold of us, body and soul,
that our lives may be ruled
not by our own will
but by the working of your grace within us.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SONGS FOR TODAY’S MASS
‘Blest be the Lord’; ‘Grant to us O Lord’; ‘Love is His Word’; ‘Make me a channel of your peace’.